A passenger being returned to Nigeria on a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi died shortly after reportedly becoming aggressive and attempting to enter the cockpit and open the aircraft’s rear door, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said.
The passenger, whose identity had yet to be disclosed as of Wednesday, became unresponsive about 20 minutes before the flight landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Tuesday night.
The NCAA said the police had taken over the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, said the passenger had been picked up from Madagascar after customs authorities reportedly denied him entry.
According to Achimugu, Kenya Airways was expected to return him because it was the airline that had brought him into the country.
He said the passenger became restless during the flight and allegedly attempted to gain access to the cockpit before trying to open the rear door.
“When he got into the aircraft, he became restless and aggressive inside the aircraft, wanted to enter the cockpit and later wanted to open the rear door, but was later tied down,” Achimugu said.
He added that the passenger’s hands were tied behind his back to prevent further disruption and protect other passengers and crew.
“But when he got to Nigeria, he was declared dead on arrival. I don’t want to pre-empt the police investigation, but they have taken it over for now,” he said.
Kenya Airways confirmed that a passenger became unresponsive at about 9:20pm, approximately 20 minutes before landing.
The airline said its crew administered first aid and followed established emergency procedures before the aircraft landed at 9:41pm.
“Upon landing at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 21:41 hrs, the aircraft was met by medical personnel, and upon further examination, the medical personnel confirmed that the passenger had passed away,” the airline said.
The airline expressed condolences to the deceased’s family and said it was working with the family, local authorities and aviation regulators.
The Airport Command of the Nigeria Police Force also confirmed the incident, saying investigations had commenced and that the passenger’s body had been deposited at a morgue in Ikeja.
Police spokesperson Muhammed Adeola said statements had been obtained from members of the flight crew, including the captain.
“Yes, it’s true, and investigations have commenced. It’s an issue of an inadmissible passenger, and the said complications arose on their way back,” Adeola said.
He said the passenger was unable to breathe and medical officers were alerted before the aircraft landed, but he was confirmed dead after the aircraft arrived in Lagos.
“His body is at a morgue in Ikeja for further investigation,” the police spokesperson added.
Achimugu said the deceased’s family could request an autopsy as the investigation progresses.
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